Best Of
Re: What do you think of modern movies?
I just came across an interesting story about the 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven. Apparently Ridley Scott’s original cut of the film test screened badly, and so the executives at Fox cut about 45 minutes out of the film to make it a more action-friendly 2 hrs and 25 minutes. It bombed at the box office, making its money back but not earning much. Critics hated it.
Then seven months later Ridley Scott released a 3 hr and 10 minutes Directors Cut, restoring nearly all the cut footage. This version went on to become very successful, and acclaimed by critics as “one of the greatest movie epics ever”. It restored a number of sub plots and gave the strong cast more of an opportunity to shine away from the action.
So I found it surprising that the Directors Cut cannot be purchased on Apple TV, all they have is the shorter Theatrical Cut.
Jeroen
Re: Using thoughts to direct the mind
It seems to me this is something you might do in meditation, but not continuously. It seems to lead to the Brahma viharas, the four divine abodes. It’s not something I would do to promote wisdom, because just to determine if a thought is ultimately wise and should be kept might take me five minutes of musing.
Jeroen
Buddhist Economics
I believe that, while no one necessarily needs to follow the socially engaged Buddhist path, not supporting certain companies or trends is a good way to deepen one’s practice, or what I associate with being Buddhist.
Unfortunately, this comes with many inconveniences. For example, refusing to support Meta means not being able to engage on Instagram, a place where you can sometimes thrive and develop your business or online image. As a mental health professional, I have always found social media controversial, but I have inevitably come to find it increasingly disruptive. It is like giving a 15-year-old a 1000cc bike to start with rather than following the usual progression of 50cc, 100cc, and so on.
Regarding other sectors, @Shoshin1 once shared a video about chocolate that made me change my purchasing habits in favour of a much more ecological and tastier option. The same should apply to products that support tyrannical regimes or destructive companies. But to what extent can one maintain this without switching off completely? I mean, what alternative does my iPad have? So far, my Buddhist economic approach has been to ensure that I use it appropriately and take good care of it so that it lasts for as long as possible.
I was reading a book called Small Is Beautiful, and it discussed how what is good for the developed world is not necessarily good for the developing world. The argument was that developing countries should not aim for exactly the same technology and comforts as us, but rather for the level of “intermediate technology” that is actually necessary. I understand the point because, if everyone aimed to own an iPad, I do not know whether that would be sustainable. Or perhaps what is truly unsustainable is not the existence of iPads themselves, but our constant drive to produce new models every year rather than focusing on durable and functional ones.
The technological revolution has brought tremendous advances, but also a great deal of noise and waste. It has also made me reflect on some of the decisions I have made in order to survive a weakening euro and the constant struggle to support myself as housing has become increasingly inaccessible, even in small towns here in Spain.
What are your Buddhist economics?
Kotishka
Re: For the coming year
It is interesting.
Often, exercise clears the the mind. Though is is not frenetic exercise, but controlled exercise.For example, walking or jogging or cross country running or rowing. Of course, the meditative exercise while walking is well documented.
Both religious and non-religious application of walking meditation or contemplation "clears the mind and opens the mind to clarity".
Also, we find that we are more alert after exercise. Tension fades away, and we are more open to our environment and interaction with others.
Back to that cup of coffee or tea.
Peace to all
Lionduck
Re: Seeing the Miraculous
It seems to me that many people today are conditioned into seeing threats and danger everywhere.
The brain is wired that way ...fight or flight ...survival instinct. Always on the lookout for threats like saber tooth tigers....Old habits die hard...
Remaining calm in stressful situations, is a bi-product of meditation practice...
Seeing the Miraculous
Is to see the self dismantled through awareness...
Shoshin1
Re: New? Introduce Yourself to NB Members!
Hi there, my name is Ivo. I became interested and fascinated with Buddhism two decades after seeing a biography about the life of the Tathagata on a television public broadcasting station. l while I was living with my uncle in the SF Bay Area. I started integrating meditation into my life about 7 years ago.I feel very fortunate to have found this website.I hope to gain more knowledge about the philosophy of the Blessed one! My goal is to travel to Thailand within the next year or two once I save up enough money to afford a plane ticket! Blessings
Ivomon77
Re: Zazen is good
You are very kind, thank you!
Today I will be renewing my precepts with the Treeleaf sangha. Today it is Full Moon and it is when the Fusatsu ceremony takes place. It is a short 30minute ceremony. If you ever want, they also do a weekly Sunday morning sit! I also decided to do a bit of plogging as I cannot follow the sit from my room and have to walk to my office (40minutes, which also counts for exercise). Three for one!
Makes me feel a bit guilty that I have the chance to do this. Some people are struggling so much to meet ends and barely manage to pay rent.... May all beings be happy and free of suffering..
This made me VERY confused at the beginning ... perhaps still. But Brad Warner helped me to understand this and also kind of explained what other practioners warned me about. In a nutshell, not talking about benefits and making it something to reinforce your ego. I've met people that have very good meditation practices to remain calm and adhere to strict schedules in order to speculate with properties, evict poor people and remain calm while being questioned by the authorities or spouse. Yep....that is not very good in my opinion...so a bit of ..."What is all this Zen bs for?" "Nothing!" is a good protective layer....
Kotishka
Re: Recently Learned...
Anything that involves attachment in the form of "anxious attachment / avoidant attachment" / craving "/ view of "this is how it should be" usually ends up poorly.
Following precepts works best (and sticking to them!) in situations where you try to use logic to convince yourself how it is acceptable in that particular circumstance.
"Going forward in practice is a matter of everydayness." Dogen Zenji.
Kotishka
Re: For the coming year
I find that the last few months I have been worrying about selling my dad’s apartment, and I haven’t created as much space for the breath. I had kind of forgotten about it while getting caught up in the day to day.
Then i came across a question on another forum, do you meditate? And in answering that I remembered my year of the breath, and I just picked it back up again. It feels wonderful, so soft.
Jeroen
The mystic sounds
I have experienced…
There are certain mystic sounds, which have the power to touch your heart and take up residence there, as a longing that points the way. For each sound I will give a short description, but if you want to experience them you should seek to hear them pronounced by a native speaker.
“Om Shantih Shantih Shantih” … it means “the soundless sound (or the sound of silence) peace peace peace” and it is the sound that every Eastern scripture ends with. It is meant to give a sense of the whole scripture in just these few words.
“Om Mani Padme Hum” … it means “the sound of silence… the diamond in the lotus”, it is often used by the Tibetans as a mantra though the words are Sanskrit, it is trying to convey the beyond in a way comprehensible to the mind.
“Hari Om Tat Sat” … it means “the sound of silence… this is the only truth”, it is used to connect with the divine, surrender the ego, and affirm that only the eternal is real.
“Sat Chit Anand” … it means “truth, consciousness, bliss”, it is one of those Sanskrit sayings about the mystical experience that echoes the heights of consciousness of those who have gone before.
“Satyam Shivam Sundram” … it means “truth, godliness, beauty”, it is a reflection of the mystical experience of ultimate reality.
Jeroen